Leinster Schools Junior Cup/ St Andrew's College 8; St Fintan's HS 3: St Andrew's College got all the trouble they could handle from a fiery St Fintan's, Sutton, at Donnybrook yesterday.
At first, it looked as though the bigger St Andrew's forwards would pave the way for an easy win. Number eight Mark Sykes, hooker Donagh Leahy and prop Gavin B Wres all used size to good effect.
Scrumhalf Luke Halpin kicked the second of his two penalty opportunities to give them a 3-0 lead at the break.
It got even better five minutes into the new half when Sykes collected a ball at the tail of a lineout and powered over from 20 metres.
It looked as though St Andrew's would ease away, but it didn't turn out that way. St Fintan's outhalf Neill Billings and centre JJ Plunkett troubled the St Andrew's defence, and centre Michael Winterson's 46th-minute dropped goal gave the Sutton boys renewed hope.
They did threaten the St Andrew's line, but were driven off their own ruck ball too many times in the last quarter to make an impact.
ST ANDREW'S COLLEGE: S O'Dywer; M Mawhinny, A Woodroofe, H McDermott, B O'Doherty; J Murray, L Halpin; A Green, D Leahy, G Byers, N Lonergan, O Cremin, A Murphy, K McHugh, M Sykes (capt). Replacement: G Davis for McDermott (35 mins).
ST FINTAN'S HS: B Daly; C McNeel, JJ Plunkett, M Winterson, M McGregor; N Billings, D Farrell (capt); D Ennis, M Egan, C Cadwell, C O'Reilly, Dan Soady, G Carey, C McQuillan, Dean Soady. Replacements: D Cullen for McNeill (34 mins), M Brooks for Winterson (64 mins).
Referee: L Laide (Leinster)
